Harvey's Has What You Want
Before You Know You Want It

By

David H. Freedman Inc. Online

Updated July 31, 1997 5:35 p.m. ET

The first time I walked into Harvey's Hardware, my immediate impression was of having stumbled onto a crime scene. There were no chalk bodies or signs of a struggle, but in every direction I looked in the somewhat claustrophobically arranged, modest-sized store, people were scurrying around, intercepting and closely questioning other people.

Often the interrogees were led off to dark corners of the store, where I lost sight of them....